Welcome to Sydny’s World of R&B
Photography by Swiper.
Experimentation is one of the most important tools in an artist’s toolkit. For R&B artists in particular, blending the genre with hints of pop, soul, or electronic subgenres often helps them stand out among the masses.
Sydny August isn’t a stranger to mixing up R&B with different inspirations. Her growing career is built based on exploring all of the possibilities within —and beyond— the genre while remaining true to the traditional roots of R&B. Dare, I say, she builds her own sonic world of R&B.
Through her work, Sydny has found solace as she can dig deep and be her most authentic self. This authenticity shines in her latest release this year, damage control. The album, initially meant as an EP, embraces the likes of traditional R&B that the genre was built on. Vocally inspired by the likes of Aaliyah, Sydny’s delivery on the EP is smooth, soft, and soulful like her predecessors.
I had the opportunity to talk with Sydny about experimenting with R&B, her non-linear process in song creation, and all the songs she can’t get out of her head.
It’s nice to meet you, Sydny! I recently listened to your new album, damage control, and loved it. That said, how long have you been creating music, and what inspired your journey?
I’ve been making music for a long time. When I was younger, I would always sing. I recorded my first SoundCloud song in 2012, so it’s been a minute since I started independently making music and learning how to make music. Even before that, I would write songs with a keyboard in my room, thinking I’m doing something when it’s writing silly stuff about my feelings. It’s kind of how it is now. I’m inspired by emotions and the human experience because there’s a lot that comes with it, so I’m inspired by whatever my soul feels in that moment.
That’s so real. I’m thinking about the music I listen to, and I’m very much a mood listener based on how I’m feeling at that time and place. Since you often lean into your lived experience in your music, who are your musical influences?
Vocally, I’m inspired by Aaliyah, Tink, and Christina Aguilera. There was this group called the Dixie Chicks that my mom, sister, and I would listen to a lot, too. It’s a lot of female artists because it’s within my vocal range.
Speaking of vocal range, how would you personally describe your sound? I picked up on Summer Walker vibes from listening to a few of your songs, but I would like to hear what you think.
As artists, I feel we have the genre we love to make. At the same time, I feel we shouldn’t feel restricted to only one genre because we should be able to create however we want. For me, I love R&B. I love the different sounds that come from it, like the chimes, so this damage control is more alternative R&B. I did have a more guitar-driven vibe with the last song, “SAY,” which is what I love. There are also other percussive songs on the project. So, I like to touch on a bunch of different things. I don’t want to stay boxed in. I will stay true to R&B because I love it, and my soul just gravitates towards it.
I understand. It’s experimentation that makes you stand out from everyone else when making music. That being said, walk me through your creation process. How does production and songwriting look for you?
It’s always been a different process for me. I go in between. I could receive a beat in my email or while with a producer and listen to it, and if I connect with it, a line will instantly come. I could also start freestyling melodies and go into the booth to record them. Sometimes, the words don’t normally come as quickly, but the melody does. When that happens, I’ll go back to melody, and it will be like ‘that mumble sounds like I’m saying this word,’ and then it’ll provoke a sentence. It’s like piecing a puzzle together.
Other times, I’ll be in the car or the shower when some random line comes to my head, and I’ll write it in my notes and go back to it later. It’s interesting because it shows how the brain works and how there are multiple ways to access creativity.
How did the creation process for damage control go?
For damage control, most of the songs are older. The song, “SAY,” is about four years old. There are a few I recorded within the past months. It was interesting curating this project because I have accumulated all these songs over the past year or years. I feel it’s more traditionally R&B driven since I’m more vulnerable with the lyrics and the way it is approached.
For the production of this project, it includes people I’ve worked with in the past. There are a few songs produced by Gonzo, Rozart, and Psyxhe. It’s super cool to see what the project has become today, and seeing the response that I’m getting from people is super motivating because it’s always tough sharing and being vulnerable with an audience. I’d originally curated this project as an EP, but when I distributed the project, it went out as an album, so it’s now being pushed as one. It’s a body of work I’m proud of.
damage control wasn’t the only project you released this year? What can you tell me about ROTATIONS ii? I saw you released ROTATIONS in 2024.
I did. I wanted to have a sequel for ROTATIONS, and so I think of them both as little mixtapes. I had music compiled over the years, and I curated it in a way that’s thinking about the audience who hasn’t heard of me yet, like what would be a cool way to represent Sydny August for those who haven’t heard my work. It’s a compilation of sounds that you know are Sydny August but curated in a thoughtful way. I’m not throwing songs together, but I’m going through all these songs I have created, like what’s a good flow as someone listens from top to bottom.
How was the transition from the two mixtapes to the new project?
The sonics. The sounds of the project are completely different. For ROTATIONS, I approached those songs more experimentally. There’s more hip-hop production with “Nintendo Switch” and “Forget/The Feeling,” even “Glossy” is more trap and hip-hop. For damage control, the project has more R&B influences in production and is more stripped. It’s not authentic R&B, so it’s more modern Sydny or experimental R&B.
Now, time for the more fun questions. Who are your dream collaborations?
I would love to work with Lil Durk again. I feel like working with Timbaland would be interesting because he produced a lot for Aaliyah, and she’s my girl. Tink is always going to be on that list. There are so many artists, Layla, but I’ll stick with those for now.
Timbaland is always a good choice for production to me. Now, if you could open for any singer, who would it be?
If I could open for an artist, I feel like Jhene Aiko would be interesting, or even Tyler the Creator. Another random one I would say is Don Toilver. There would be enough contrast, but there’s room for fun in the performance.
Last one, what songs have been stuck in your head recently?
It’s been that Tate McRae one “Greenlight.” Her lyricism is crazy. Then this Donell Jones’ song, “Do You Wanna.” I love the production in that song, and it makes me want to sing it every time I hear it.
It has been great speaking with you today, Sydny! To close this off, what can your audience expect from you next?
I have more music coming and singles and videos on the way. I’ll also have my headlining show on August 22nd at Evanston Space, so I’m super excited about that one. I have two Chicago artists opening up for me, Moyana and Young(in). After that, it’ll be more music, as always.
The piece has been edited down for clarity.
How did the creation process for damage control go?
For damage control, most of the songs are older. The song, “SAY,” is about four years old. There are a few I recorded within the past months. It was interesting curating this project because I have accumulated all these songs over the past year or years. I feel it’s more traditionally R&B driven since I’m more vulnerable with the lyrics and the way it is approached.
For the production of this project, it includes people I’ve worked with in the past. There are a few songs produced by Gonzo, Rozart, and Psyxhe. It’s super cool to see what the project has become today, and seeing the response that I’m getting from people is super motivating because it’s always tough sharing and being vulnerable with an audience. I’d originally curated this project as an EP, but when I distributed the project, it went out as an album, so it’s now being pushed as one. It’s a body of work I’m proud of.
damage control wasn’t the only project you released this year? What can you tell me about ROTATIONS ii? I saw you released ROTATIONS in 2024.
I did. I wanted to have a sequel for ROTATIONS, and so I think of them both as little mixtapes. I had music compiled over the years, and I curated it in a way that’s thinking about the audience who hasn’t heard of me yet, like what would be a cool way to represent Sydny August for those who haven’t heard my work. It’s a compilation of sounds that you know are Sydny August but curated in a thoughtful way. I’m not throwing songs together, but I’m going through all these songs I have created, like what’s a good flow as someone listens from top to bottom.
How was the transition from the two mixtapes to the new project?
The sonics. The sounds of the project are completely different. For ROTATIONS, I approached those songs more experimentally. There’s more hip-hop production with “Nintendo Switch” and “Forget/The Feeling,” even “Glossy” is more trap and hip-hop. For damage control, the project has more R&B influences in production and is more stripped. It’s not authentic R&B, so it’s more modern Sydny or experimental R&B.
Now, time for the more fun questions. Who are your dream collaborations?
I would love to work with Lil Durk again. I feel like working with Timbaland would be interesting because he produced a lot for Aaliyah, and she’s my girl. Tink is always going to be on that list. There are so many artists, Layla, but I’ll stick with those for now.
Timbaland is always a good choice for production to me. Now, if you could open for any singer, who would it be?
If I could open for an artist, I feel like Jhene Aiko would be interesting, or even Tyler the Creator. Another random one I would say is Don Toilver. There would be enough contrast, but there’s room for fun in the performance.
Last one, what songs have been stuck in your head recently?
It’s been that Tate McRae one “Greenlight.” Her lyricism is crazy. Then this Donell Jones’ song, “Do You Wanna.” I love the production in that song, and it makes me want to sing it every time I hear it.
It has been great speaking with you today, Sydny! To close this off, what can your audience expect from you next?
I have more music coming and singles and videos on the way. I’ll also have my headlining show on August 22nd at Evanston Space, so I’m super excited about that one. I have two Chicago artists opening up for me, Moyana and Young(in). After that, it’ll be more music, as always.
The piece has been edited down for clarity.